Livre: One Shots

[1*] You need to calm down, You're being too loud.

"Who's she talking to?"

"I don't know, haven't seen him before."

"He looks pretty into her."

"He looks pretty hot too."

The spying girls giggled between them, as if they were fully inconspicuous in amongst a room full of music's and film's finest. Karlie, for one, hadn't a clue who they were, let alone how they had gotten into the exclusive party. When she realized just who they were gossiping about, she selfishly almost wished they hadn't been allowed into the building.

From her spot a few stools down at the bar, Karlie's gaze found the object of their attention all too easily; she always had a way of seeking her out in a crowd. Taylor, and some guy. Some guy she didn't know. Some guy that, from what she could see of the side of his head, was probably good looking. The good looking ones always liked to try to talk to her.

Not that it matters, Karlie reminded herself, dragging her eyes away for her own sake. She hadn't come to this party with her due to the contracts and hiding; she could spend her time with whoever she damn well pleased.

It was just a shame Taylor couldn't pick her.

That was hardly a surprise, though: while they had been seeing each other again for over the year. Things were difficult. They were taking life as it came, which meant quiet days of hanging out in each other's apartments, talking , baking, cooking and catching up on day's lost and, evidently, not telling a soul about it.

It was almost an unspoken rule between them since the very beginning of their relationship. Taylor hadn't needed to tell her she wasn't ready to be thrown into another media circus, while Karlie was all for alluding unnecessary attention. Avoiding cameras was something they had both grown relatively savvy with, and yet even so, they spent most of their time together alone, where there was no one else to whisper what they thought of the sight of them.

The last time Karlie had dared to plan a nice evening out for them, she had almost blown it. Well, technically it hadn't been her fault – she had done all she could to make sure that they would go unnoticed. They'd enjoyed themselves sitting in the dark Broadway theatre, her hand resting casually on her thigh and her fingertips gently on top, sneaking out (Taylor going first) after with practiced stealth. Only someone had recognized Karlie , and mentioned that she was in the company of a tall blonde. No one had seemed to know Taylor was in New York at the time. They were careful to let people believe she was still across the pond, yet she still worried. She liked spending time with her, but there was a cost. It wasn't something she loved to acknowledge – she knew the reality of the contracts both of them were in.

So she knew the reality of this moment and having no power whatsoever over the situation playing out in front of them.

Taylor wasn't really thinking when this guy came up to her and seemed friendly enough. It didn't occur to her that Karlie would even notice. She was very aware that this was the first time in months that both of them were attending the same public function and she was consciously aware of how far away she needed to be.

For a while, Karlie pretended she hadn't heard or noticed. She found some friends to chat to and have a drink with. "Tay's not like that," Karlie told herself. She hadn't attended the party with anyone, since Joe was off filming somewhere else across the world. Karlie brought Josh but he was off somewhere else as she was surrounded by Lily, Katy, and Martha.

Besides, she had nothing to worry about.

Except... Well, what if she did?

When she dared to glance over to the last spot she had seen her across the lavish bar, Karlie wasn't really expecting to still find her there. Surely, she would've found an opening to excuse herself and re-join the friends she had arrived with, but there she was, still talking to Mystery Man. Smiling at him. Looking like she was enjoying herself.